MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations
About this course
MA in Film & Visual Culture and International Relations, an undergraduate degree combining the study of cinematic history, visual culture, and global political systems. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students can undertake an optional year abroad as part of their studies. In the first year, students cover foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Visual Culture, Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance, Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience, and Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict. The second year continues with specialized coursework including Visualising Modernity, Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations, Visualising Revolution, and Global Politics: Equality and Inequality. Later years offer a wide range of optional modules spanning topics such as African Security, International Security, US Politics, and Human Rights in Global Politics. Students can also pursue independent research through a dissertation module in either Film & Visual Culture or Politics & International Relations.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in English is also required. SQA Highers: BBBB. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in related subjects. Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.) GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes. Irish Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Higher at H3.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- London: 10%
- Scotland: 80%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Introduction to Visual Culture
- Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance
- Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience
- Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict
- Visualising Modernity
- Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations
- Visualising Revolution
- Global Politics: Equality and Inequality
- US Politics
- African Security
- Employer - Led Interdisciplinary Project
- International Security
- Political Parties in Britain
- Soviet and Post - Soviet Russian Foreign Policy
- Memory and Politics of the Past
- Human Rights in Global Politics
- The Global Politics of Secession
- Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture
- Dissertation
- Science, Technology & International Relations
- Contemporary French Politics: Race, Religion and Social Change B
- International Political Psychology
- Northern Ireland: Small, Dirty War
- War and Peace in International Politics
- Scottish Politics
- Comparative Constitutional Systems
- Extreme Right in Western Europe
- Maritime Security
- Political Islam: Islamist Ideologies and Practices
- International Migration and Europe
- Gender and Politics
- Corruption and Good Governance
- US Presidents
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £32,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £8,500 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
Does MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Film & Visual Culture and International Relations at University of Aberdeen?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.